Teams hit the slopes to raise money for American Heart Association
When Maple Ski Ridge goes ‘red,’ there isn’t a slow moment on the slopes.
The American Heart Association is holding its eighth annual fundraiser The Ridge Goes Red at Maple Ski Ridge in Rotterdam. The event is a 24-hour ski-a-thon starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. A new element this year, The Ridge Goes Red for Families, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb 15 for those not looking to go the full stretch but still wanting to participate.
`The Ridge Goes Red is always an inspiring event, and we love to watch the skiers who go for 24 hours straight,` said Meredith Cohn, senior director for the American Heart Association. `The Ridge Goes Red for Families allows others to enjoy the day in a different way.`
To participate in the 24-hour ski-a-thon individuals form a team of at least four members and pay a $60 registration fee for the team along with $200 donation to the heart association. The family portion of the event offers a $35 lift ticket for each person with $20 donated. The price includes a barbecue lunch, music and demonstrations from Jodie Fitz of Price Chopper’s Kids Cooking Club. Carnival games for kids are also planned.
`It is a great idea. I am looking forward to building it in the upcoming years to make it more of a family-friendly event,` said Kate Michener, special events coordinator at Maple Ski Ridge. `The family part of the event will grow nicely as the years goes on. It is very difficult to find things to do with your kids in the wintertime. Everybody wants to come out in the winter and have some fun.`
Over the past eight years, the fundraising event has grown in participants, said Katherine McCarthy, spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. The event also coincides with American Heart Month.
`Heart disease is the No. 1 killer, and during American Heart Month, we really want people to be aware of it,` said McCarthy. `Having a big event like this helps us bring it forefront to people’s minds. The Ridge is really great for letting us be there so long and they really take care of a lot.`
Skiing and snowboarding covers a large range of ages, said Michener, and it is also gives people a good workout. During the event, she said, employees feed and make sure the 24-hour participants stay hydrated, while keeping a look out for overtired riders. She said participants could bring sleeping bags if they want because only one member of the team needs to remain on the mountain at any time.
Michener said Maple Ski Ridge continues to host the event because it is `the right thing to do.`
`The fact that we are woman-run business adds to us wanting to keep getting the word out how important it is to keep taking care of your heart,` said Michener. `It is always good to partner with a community organization that is there for the people in our community.`
To register for the event contact Meredith Cohn at the AHA at [email protected] or 869-4042; visit Maple Ski Ridge at www.mapleskiridge.com or 381-4700, or you can pick up a form at the ridge. Participants are asked to register ahead of the event, but groups can still register the day of the event.
`If you are up for the challenge, it is a great thing to do all night long,` said McCarthy.“
